The best skincare routine for teenage acne morning and evening is as follows:
Morning:
| Step | Product |
|---|---|
| Cleanser | Vanicream Gentle Cleanser |
| Moisturizer | CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion |
| SPF | La Roche Posay Anthelios SPF 60 |
Night:
| Best . . . | Product |
|---|---|
| Cleanser | CeraVe Foaming Cleanser |
| Acne Treatment | Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10 |
| Moisturizer | The Ordinary Natural Moisturizing Factors |
For teens with acne, skincare should be kept as simple as possible. This article will explain everything you need to know about creating a great routine for teenage acne and keeping your skin barrier healthy.
Morning Teenage Acne Skincare Routine
Whether you have oily skin or acne prone skin, you can keep things simple with a quick morning routine and leave the real acne treatments for nighttime.
Gentle Cleanser
Vanicream
Gentle Cleanser
CeraVe
Hydrating Cleanser
La Roche Posay
Hydrating Cleanser
You can start your morning by washing your face with either water or a gentle cleanser. Some of the best affordable brands for teenagers dealing with acne breakouts include Vanicream, CeraVe, and La Roche Posay.
Moisturizer
CeraVe
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
A common misconception is that people with acne prone skin don’t need to moisturize. In fact, it is arguably more important to moisturize when treating acne.
Why?
Because you are already dealing with a compromised skin barrier which can lead to:
Irritated skin
Increased oil production
Even more breakouts
That being said, you can substitute sunscreen as moisturizer in the morning if you have particularly oily skin.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is one of my favorite moisturizers to include in a routine for teens because it is affordable and convenient as it is safe to use on both your face and body.
You can also choose any of the moisturizers I listed below in the “night routine” section.
SPF
La Roche Posay
Anthelios SPF 60
Elta MD
SPF 46
CeraVe
Facial Moisturizing Lotion
Finishing off with sunscreen is important as excess exposure to UV light can make your acne scars and hyperpigmentation worse.
Depending on your skin’s needs, you can even replace your morning moisturizer with just sunscreen.
While there is evidence that the sun is also antimicrobial and may improve acne in small doses, it is still likely that a dermatologist would recommend SPF for teenage skin.
Evening Teenage Acne Skin Care Routine
To keep things simple for teenagers and still effectively treat acne, try this skincare routine.
Cleanser
PanOxyl
4% Benzoyl Peroxide
Naturium
SA Face & Body Wash
CeraVe
Foaming Cleanser
Two of the best treatments for acne include benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Benzoyl peroxide helps kill off acne causing bacteria and turn over dead skin cells. On the other hand, salicylic acid dissolves the sweat, dirt, and excess oil trapped in your pores before they become pimples.
Benzoyl peroxide is likely a better treatment for more severe acne and body acne while salicylic acid may be more suitable for those with sensitive skin.
However, if you are using a leave-on treatment with active ingredients as the second step in your skincare routine, pick a plain foaming cleanser instead.
Acne Treatment
CeraVe
Acne Control Gel
Naturium
Azelaic Topical Acid 10
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1%
These are three of the best leave-on acne treatments to include in your skincare regimen as a teenager. To start off, pick just one of these and use it consistently 3-5 nights per week for 1-3 months to see if it works for you.
Both salicylic acid and azelaic acid are effective acne treatments, but azelaic acid has the added benefit of also reducing hyperpigmentation (dark spots). Both salicylic acid and azelaic acid are safe to be worn in the morning and night.
If you have moderate acne and other active ingredients don’t work for you, you can consider upgrading to Differin gel. Unlike other acne treatments, adapalene should only be worn at night as it is inactivated by sunlight.
Moisturizer
CeraVe
PM Moisturizing Lotion
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost
The Ordinary
Natural Moisturizing Factors
Moisturizing is essential to protect your skin’s natural barrier and prevent future breakouts. Even if you have oily skin, make sure to moisturize as the last step in your skincare routine.
The CeraVe PM Lotion is one of my favorites as it’s formualted with niacinamide to help with dark spots. Also, Hydro Boost is a good choice for those with particularly oily skin.
Summary: Best Skin Care Routine for Teenage Acne
With teenagers, the most important factor in maintain a skincare routine is consistency.
Try to keep things as simple as possible – a cleanser, an acne treatment if needed, a moisturizer, and sunscreen.
The products in this post are all affordable and suitable for preventing acne for teens!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! It’s a great idea for a 14 year old to start a simple skincare routine. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and SPF in the morning, and a similar routine with an added acne treatment at night can really benefit young skin, especially if you’re dealing with acne.
For a 12 year old struggling with acne, a gentle cleanser is a perfect start. Brands like Vanicream, CeraVe, and La Roche Posay are both effective and gentle. Remember, simplicity in skincare is key at this age!
Yes, salicylic acid is a good choice for a 14 year old. It’s effective in dissolving the oils and impurities in pores, which helps in preventing acne. Just make sure to use it as directed and see how your skin responds.
Definitely! Niacinamide is a wonderful ingredient for teens. It’s helpful in managing dark spots and supports your skin’s natural barrier, important for keeping future breakouts at bay. It’s a gentle and beneficial addition to a teen’s skincare routine.
Yes, a niacinamide serum can be a great part of a 14 year old’s skincare routine. It’s excellent for tackling dark spots and supporting the skin’s natural barrier, helping to prevent acne. Plus, it’s gentle on the skin.
